"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
...
Rory O'Conor wrote:

Apart from initial cost and traditionalism - "gliders dont have
engines", I
cannot
understand why so few people have SLMG.

"Apart from the cost"? It is the cost. If a motor could be added for
$2000, everyone would have one, but not at $25,000 for the motor,
typical for the German gliders. THe newer, smaller motorgliders like the
Russia AC-5M (over 30 sold in a very short time), Apis, and Silent will
add a lot of motorgliders to the fleet, because the motor is more like
$10,000 additional, and the glider is cheaper to begin with.

Even so, the complexity alone will keep many out of motorgliders; and
some simply don't need the advantages of self-launchers because they
already get the flying they want when they want it.

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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

You can buy a lot of launches (especially ground launches) for $25K, or even
$10K.

I know the reliability factor has improved, but many hours on the ground
were spent in maintenance and tuning and fettling for the early adopters. I
think today it's much better, but then today's reliability came at a price.

Though the convenience factor is an interesting consideration, I personally
view soaring as a sociable pastime and prefer gathering together with the
faithful in its pursuit.

I could also scuba dive and sail alone, but it was more dangerous and lonely
than doing it in a gaggle.

Don't get me wrong, I looked long and hard at the DG-400 in the early
1980's. Self launching has its place, but given the choice, I'll take a
ground launch, aerotow, or self launch, in that order.

Frank Whiteley
Colorado